The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is an autonomous, non-governmental organisation, devoted to the advancement of knowledge and research in the social sciences. It was established in 1971. Before this date, Academy functions were fulfilled through the Social Science Research Council of Australia, founded in 1942.

There are over 350 Fellows of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, denoted FASSA.

There are three other learned Academies in Australia, those of Humanities (Australian Academy of the Humanities

Australian Academy of the Humanities

The Australian Academy of the Humanities was established by Royal Charter in 1969 to advance scholarship and public interest in the humanities in Australia...

), Science (Australian Academy of Science

Australian Academy of Science

The Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...

) and Technological Sciences and Engineering (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering is an independent non-government organization dedicated to the promotion in Australia of scientific and engineering knowledge to practical purposes. Professor Robin Batterham is the current President of ATSE....

). The four Academies cooperate through the National Academies Forum

National Academies Forum

The National Academies Forum was replaced in May 2010 by the Australian Council of Learned Academies.The National Academies Forum was established in 1995 as the peak organisation for the four Australian learned academies...

, formed in 1995.